Motor-driven rail vehicle



Jan. 24, 1928.

J. BUCHLI MGTOR DRIVEN RAIL VEHICLE Filed Dec. 23. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1(/MpZQ: K

Jan. 24, 1928a 1,656,902 J. BUCHLI v MOTOR DRIVEN RAIL vEHIcpE FiledDec. 23. 1924 2Shee.ts-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 24, 1928.

UNITED STATES JACOB BUCI-ILI, OF WINTERTHUR, SWITZERLAND.

MOTOR-DRIVEN RAIL VEHICLE.

Application filed December 2a, 1924,: Serial No.

middle one in such a manner that they will.

position themselves approximately radially when travelling along curves.It has also been proposed to make two-axle vehiclesof long wheel-basewith driving axles whlch are driven by means of Cardan shafts by motorsrigidly attached to the vehicle body between the said driving axles.This proposed kind of drive, however, has the defect that the drivingaxles position themselves, when on curves, not radially but so that thewheel of the front axle on the inside of the curve leads in "advance ofthe other.

According to my invention the one or more driving motors are arrangednot on the vehicle body, but on a separate steering frame distinct fromsaid body which frame is movable laterally in relation to said body andby whioh'the two driving axles are adjusted as by a thill.

As compared with the constructions heretofore proposed such a drive hasa number of important advantages. The driving axles are positivelypositioned radially on curves and run exceedingly quietly on straighttracks. Both the tires and the rails are preserved, the formation ofgrooves is avoided and curves are passed silently; also very small radiiare possible with long wheelbases. With a prescribed axle-load theuseful total load can be increased because the weight of the motors isborne by a frame specially provided for them. The axle load of thedriving axles may be reduced, when the points of support of the vehiclebody are situated on thills connecting the driving axles with thesteering frame. As in motorcars all the gear parts can be enclosedoiltight, so that waste of oil isavoi'ded. Further, as in motor-cars,the axles can be driven by differential gears whereby loss of power isavoided, and since the motors lie in the longitudinal direction ofthevehicle they can be constructed at a lower cost and more favorably,particularly they can be made for high speeds and provided withartificial ventilation and air-filters.

In the appended drawing, in which I have illustrated one embodiment ofthe invention by way of example:

757,601, and. in Switzerland December 29, 1923.

Figures 1 and 2 are a side elevation and a top plan View, respectively,showing one a1- rangement ofdriving motors of a' rail-vehicle accordingto my invention. and l are detail views, drawn to a larger scale,showingthe mounting of the axles.

Near the two ends of the vehicle are located the driving axles a, whichare enclosed in the housings a and are driven by universal couplings 6each by means of an electric motor 0. lusteadof electric motors, othermotors may of course be used, for example, internal-combustion, or:Diesel engines. As shown in Figure 2, according to the invention themotors are not connected with the carriage body 6, but are mounted on aseparate chassis or steering frame 7 having its own wheel-base and smallwheels, which frame 7 free to move laterally under the vehicle body sothat it can move to either side. Because of the provision of theuniversal couplings b forming radius bars the axles a are steered by theframe The carriage body 6 supported on the axles a by means of a slided, a truck bolster d and supporting springs cl attached to the saidtruck bolster, such slide permitting longitudinal movement of the axlesrelative to the carriage body, and the said springs connected to dialmovement thereof. The latter may be.

driven in well-known manner by'bevel gear and, if desired, bydifferential gear, not shown.

Besides the axles aat least one axle of the frame 7 may be driven. Thetwo driving axles a and in some cases the axles of the frame f may bedriven by a single motor carried by the latter. In some cases it willsuffice to equip the frame 7 with one single axle, but if two axles aretoo few then three or more may be provided.

I claim a- 1. In a motor-driven rail-vehicle of long wheel-base, thecombination with the vehicle body and two driving axles, supporting saidvehicle body, of a steering frame distinct from said vehicle body, andmovable laterally in relation thereto and situated intermediate saidaxles, at least one motor mounted on said 'steeringframe, and meansoperatively connecting said frame with said axles to steer the same inthe manner of a thill.

2. In a motor-driven rail-vehicle of long wheel-base, the combination ofa vehicle nected with said steering frame only indirectly.

twin a motondriven rail vehicle of long wheel-base, the combination withthe vehicle body and two driving axles, one near each end thereof, of asteering frame distinct from said vehicle body, and movable laterally inrelation thereto and situated intermediate said aXles, two motorsmounted on said steering frame, means operatively connecting saidsteering frame with said axles to steer the same in the manner of athill, and two driving connections connecting each one of said motorswith each one of said axles for rotating thelatter.

5. he motor driven rail-vehicle of long wheelbase, the combination withthe vehicle body and two driving axles, one near each end thereof,supporting the same of a steer ing frame distinct from the vehicle body,and movable laterally in relation thereto and situated intermediate saidaxles, at least one 35 motor mountedon said steering frame and gearedwith said driving axles, driving means operatively connecting said motora with said driving axles for rotating the same b and steering meansoperatively connecting said steering frame with said drivingaxles tosteer the same in the manner of a thill.

December, 192t. y r

Jason BUCHLI.

Si ned at \Vinterthur this 11th dayof

